Four Divo Program

WHITNEY

on The Sharon®L. Morse

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Dear Patron of the Arts

,

Welcome to The Sharon® L. Morse Performing Arts Center!

Much like the building’s namesake, my grandmother, Sharon L. Morse, we love all varieties of the performing arts here. It is in her memory that I, along with my amazing team of artists and arts administrators, strive to bring many different types of the highest quality entertainment here to The Sharon.

Since opening in 2015, we have strived to establish your trust, that a show at The Sharon is a show worth seeing. Perhaps you find yourself here today to see a concert of one of your favorite musicians, or to take in the national tour of a Broadway show. Either way, we encourage you to consider trying out a new show that perhaps you haven’t heard of before, knowing that it has been intentionally curated by our team.

We welcome you to The Sharon: a place for you to see an old favorite, but also a place to discover your new favorite. I sincerely hope you enjoy the show today, and I look forward to seeing you here again soon!

See

You at The Sharon,

W hitney Morse Artistic Director

Four Divo comes together again with an exciting new formation that features AGT Finalist and founding member of FORTE, Fernando Varela. Joining Fernando is America’s Got Talent Finalist Branden James, Star of the PBS Pulitzer Prize-Winning Silent Night, Craig Irvin, and special guests.

Featuring the music of Il Divo, The Tenors and other great tenor groups whose music took the world by storm through timeless melodies, soaring harmonies and incredible voices. These powerhouse performers have graced some of the world’s biggest stages from Carnegie Hall to Covent Garden and are always a highlight on The Sharon stage. Four Divo promises to create an unforgettable evening of musical magic, guaranteed to have audiences jumping to their feet.

FERNANDO VARELA

The story behind Fernando Varela begins and ends with a voice. A voice that tells the tale of a breathtaking tenor whose spirit and determination have defied the odds.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Fernando moved to Florida at the age of eight, and while he always loved music, it was not until the age of seventeen that he discovered the impressive talent he had within him. Fernando trained with opera's renowned classical icons and tours worldwide with Grammy Award-Winning producer David Foster and is featured on David Foster's recently released all-new PBS Special. He has also performed amongst legendary superstars, including Lionel Richie, Sarah Brightman, Babyface, Gladys Knight, Peter Cetera, Neil Diamond, Benny Andersson, Seal, Jewel, The Beach Boys, Steven Tyler, Josh Groban, and Chaka Kahn. 2019 saw Fernando as special guest performer at The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, honoring Gloria and Emilio Estefan and celebrating Julio Iglesias on The Grammy Salute to Legends. Varela is signed with Universal Music Group and released his debut album "Vivere" in March 2017, accompanied by his debut PBS Special, "Coming Home."

Fernando has also founded the dynamic powerhouse trio, The Serenad3 (The Serenade), featuring Varela alongside world-renowned singers Craig Irvin & Devin Eatmon. The group emerged as a sign of hope amidst a pandemic, collaborating with David Foster, Gloria Estefan, Pia Toscano, and many more.

Fernando Varela sets the standard for what true musicianship is all about, combining a unique voice and an engaging passion that lights up the stage.

BIOGRAPHIES

CRAIG IRVIN

Craig Irvin brings a vibrant sound and commitment to character to a wide variety of repertoire. Opera News has praised his “rich, resonant baritone” while the Dallas Morning News has noted his “truly commanding baritone.”

In the busy 2022-2023 season, Mr. Irvin makes his role debut as Jochanaan with Madison Opera, makes his role debut as Older Thompson in Glory Denied with Knoxville Opera and Permian Basin Opera, returns to The Atlanta Opera as Maximillian in Candide, sings The Wolf/ Cinderella’s Prince in Into the Woods with Tulsa Opera, and bows with New West Symphony in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.

The 2021-2022 season brought reprises of one of his signature roles - The Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance at both Atlanta Opera and Utah Symphony and Opera, and brought him to Orchestra Iowa for Handel’s Messiah and the Cincinnati May Festival for Candide. During the COVID-affected 2019 and 2020 seasons, Mr. Irvin appeared in concert with Omaha Symphony, and was slated to appear as the title role in Sweeney Todd at Utah Festival Opera and Music Theater, Marcello in La boheme at Atlanta Opera, in Carmina Burana with San Antonio Symphony.

A winner of the Heinz Rehfuss Singing Actor Award sponsored by Orlando Opera, Mr. Irvin spent a season with the company as a Resident Artist. With Orlando Opera he has sung the Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance, Abimelech in Samson et Dalilah, Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro, Elder Ott in Susannah, and Angelotti in Tosca. While in Orlando, Mr. Irvin also sang the role of Gaston in over 700 performances of Beauty and the Beast at Walt Disney World, MGM. In the course of his graduate work at The University of Tennessee, he performed with the Knoxville Opera as Pooh Bah in The Mikado, Der Sprecher in Die Zauberflöte, and Basilio in Il barbiere di Siviglia, as well as Reverend Blitch in Susannah and the title role in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd with the Knoxville Opera Studio. A native of Iowa, Mr. Irvin completed his undergraduate study at the Simpson College in Indianola under the tutelage of Dr. Robert L. Larsen.

BRANDEN JAMES

Branden James inspired millions as a finalist on season 8 of America's Got Talent, and he continues to do the same with his "soaring tenor vocals." (NPR Music)

Branden spent the beginnings of his career singing in residence at The Metropolitan Opera in New York City, the Los Angeles Opera, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Having appeared in concert at The Hollywood Bowl, Lincoln Center, and Trafalgar Square in London, his travels have honored him with a personal performance for Pope Benedict XVI and the Nelson Mandela family in South Africa. He has kicked off games for The Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Cubs, and Whitesox with his passionate rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner." James has also hit the Las Vegas strip, headlining "Spirit of The Dance" In television, he has served as co-host for the wildly popular Afterbuzz TV network. He has been a guest on TV shows in The US and around the globe in countries such as Norway, Sweden, Denmark, South Africa, Romania, The UK, France, Italy, China, New Zealand, and Australia. He spends much of his time playing in the pop-vocal and cello duo BRANDEN & JAMES. Michael Orland, Music Director of American Idol, says of the pair, "It's always a pleasure working with Branden & James. Not only are they talented and fantastic performers, but they are also incredible musicians. The velvet sound of James on the cello, mixed with Branden's compelling vocal talent, creates a unique duo that leaves everyone mesmerized. I guarantee we'll be hearing much more from them in their careers."

As a published author, Branden penned Lyrics Of My Life through Simon & Schuster. I'm thrilled to see what the future holds, and I hope my music and my story continue to make a powerful mark on this world."

Featured Special Guests

ALLISON NASH

Allison Nash is known to immediately captivate an audience with her powerful, soulful, versatile voice. Her sound stirs emotions and brings music to life. She’s a natural talent, though not lacking in experience, performing both locally and overseas. She’s a gem that is quickly gaining a following by those who hear her sing. She currently resides in St. Petersburg, Fl.

BRANDEN & JAMES

Since forming as a duo, BRANDEN & JAMES has been touring worldwide with their innovative, classically inspired pop songs and undeniable charm and wit.

Described by NPR Music as a duo with "dazzling cello and soaring tenor vocals," they bring the soulful timbre of James on his cello combined with Branden's emotional and powerful vocals creating a sound that leaves audiences feeling moved and inspired. They have become a brand-name in the classical-crossover music world alongside the likes of Josh Groban, The Piano Guys, and Jackie Evancho, says The Bay Area Reporter

Hardly a supporting player, but, rather, a true co-creator and co-star Australian cellist James began creating arrangements of familiar tunes that make you listen as you've never heard them before. Branden, a former finalist on America's Got Talent & resident tenor at The Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Los Angeles Opera, recently penned a memoir entitled, Lyrics of My Life which entered Amazon Books new releases at #9. It was published by Simon & Schuster in 2020.

Recently named "best-unsigned artists in North America" by Music Connection magazine, BRANDEN & JAMES will release their first Christmas album together, "A Christmas Gift," which they've recently recorded in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Bass Guitar & Musical Director

Mason Embry

Jonathan Crone

Drums

Keys Garth Justice

Guitar

Gary Lunn

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Whether or not I paid the cable bill.

Exact location of car keys.

Fig. 17 GREY MATTER

Neighbor’s daughter’s name.

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